If you’ve had enough of odors caused by smoke, pets, or mold, it might be time to invest in an ozone generator. Read on as we discuss what ozone generators are, how they work, their benefits, and the safety concerns behind them. Afterwards, we’ll deep-dive into a discussion about the best ozone generators for home use.
What are Ozone Generators?
Ozone generators are machines that produce the gas known as ozone. Though ozone is most often used in water purification, it’s recently been applied to air in high concentrations for odor-elimination.
Most ozone generators are built inside of a HEPA or ionic air purifier, which primarily captures air particulates yet applies small amounts of ozone to reduce indoor odors.
Alternatively, dedicated residential ozone generators don’t have any filtration properties, yet they produce high concentrations of the gas ozone. They are perfect for homes that suffer from persistent odors caused by cigarette smoke, pets, chemicals, paint, and water damage.
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Finally, on the highest end of the spectrum, commercial-grade ozone generators produce extremely high concentrations of ozone (10,000 mg/h or more). These high-grade ozone generators boast the best odor-eliminating effect; however, they should never be used in a room with a person present.
How Do Ozone Generators Work?
With all that said, how do ozone generators work? Ozone generators primarily function by breaking down the complex molecule, oxygen, into its component atoms.
The single atoms float around and attach themselves to ambient oxygen molecules, which form the gas ozone.
Keep in mind that not every ozone generator uses the same technology to break up oxygen. There are two primary ways that these machines work: silent discharge or ultraviolet radiation.
The first method uses electrical discharge to create ozone naturally by splitting up oxygen molecules. The second uses UV radiation akin to the sun to form individual oxygen atoms. Generally, the first method is more efficient and outputting high concentrations of ozone.
Since ozone is extremely reactive, it easily attaches to pollution and odorous compounds. Smoke, organic matter, bacteria, viruses, and mold odors are all effectively eliminated by ozone.
Benefits of Ozone Generators
- Removes Odor Effectively
There’s nothing quite as effective as the gas ozone at eliminating odors in the home or commercial properties – that’s why so many consumers rely on it.
Those that have tried everything to eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke, pets, chemicals, mold spores, and water damage are well-served by ozone generators.
- Inactivates Living Organisms
Not only does ozone remove odor, but it also boasts the ability to make viruses, bacteria, yeast, and protozoa inert. Many find that regular ozone treatments help to reduce the impact of seasonal allergies or other health reactions.
- Works Quickly
Unlike other forms of filtration, high-output ozone generators work within minutes to decrease odors in the home. Traditional air purifiers can take hours or even days to boast anywhere near the same impact.
This is why many consumers prefer ozone generators (or purifiers that contain ozone generation tech) to simple air HEPA filters.
Review of the Best Ozone Generators for Home Use
1) New Comfort CA3500 Ozone Generator
Offering six layers of expert filtration, the New Comfort ozone generator purifies through removing, capturing, and eliminating virtually any airborne particle. Viruses, mold, spores, dust, and allergens are all caught by the New Comfort.
The machine is built with a HEPA filter and powerful five-speed fan that’s rated to purify up to 3000 square feet with ease. The high output fan naturally pulls in air through the fine-grain filtering, capturing 99.97 percent of airborne particulate matter.
Moreover, the ozone generator removes any and all odors from the surrounding area. Cigarette smoke, pet, chemicals, paints, food, and musty smells are all purified quickly after booting up the generator.
The New Comfort is perfect for both commercial and residential use, owing to its powerful operation yet home-use pricing. It’s recommended for hotels, car dealerships, salons, schools, basements, and homes. Any place affected by smoke, water damage, or mold would be well-served by the New Comfort filtration system.
TiO2 and UV air cleaning are used in conjunction to powerfully eradicate mold spores, viruses, and bacteria from the surrounding air. UV-C wavelengths work to alter and destroy the DNA present in live viruses, helping to keep your family safe.
After UV treatment, all particulate matter passes through a negative ion filtration layer that releases negative ions into the air to further kill impurities. Photocatalytic air purification uses light energy to stop pollutants in their tracks, turning them into harmless substances.
Best of all, the filtration system is covered by a generous three-year warranty.
2) Ivation IVAOZAP04 Ozone Generator
The Ivation is a powerful purifier that freshens, filters, and eliminates contaminants found indoors. Whether it’s for the home or office, the Ivation is efficient enough for both residential and commercial use.
In addition to five layers of air filtration, the Ivation includes a powerful ozone generator that converts oxygen molecules to ozone for a clean-smelling effect. It removes the odors caused by food, paint, pets, smoke, and more in no time at all.
After passing through the ozone generator, particulate matter is treated with negative ion technology that kills viruses and other living organisms. These ions even mitigate the presence of mold spores, pollen, and other irritating pollutants.
The five layers include an ozone generator, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, photocatalytic filter, and ultraviolet germicidal lamp. The photocatalytic layers work in tandem with the UV filter to further destroy microorganism’s ability to reproduce in the home.
The result? Fresh, clean-smelling air that’s free of viruses, bacteria, and mold spores.
Unlike the New System, the Ivation features a beautiful exterior. The machine has a hard-shell, cherry wood exterior that makes it a pleasing decorative item for the home. To clean, users can simply remove the back fan grill and place it in a new HEPA filter as needed.
3) Airthereal MA10K-Pro Ozone Generator
Yes, the Airthereal may not look like anything special, but it performs powerfully. Using high capacity electrical input, the Airthereal supports a continuous ozone output of 10,000 mg/hour with five-year service life.
Users simply need to set a timer and leave it in the home for the most thorough cleaning possible. It’s recommended to apply the ozone air treatment twice a week for normal use. Areas impacted by unsafe air quality or mold should increase the frequency with which they apply the treatment.
This high-output machine uses ozone to act as a powerful oxidant, removing the most stubborn odors in the home.
That said, users should keep in mind that, when using the device, they need to leave the home. The machine is only designed for use in unoccupied spaces since it’s not safe to breathe it in.
After the timer is set, users should plan to stay out of the house until all residual ozone reconverts back into oxygen, which is typically an additional thirty minutes. Users can set the machine for a maximum of 120 minutes.
Still, if you’ve tried other treatments and had no success the Airthereal might be the right product for you. It’s covered by a generous three-year manufacturer’s warranty for any product defects.
4) Green Air Pro 2 Ozone Generator
Built with two purifier plates, the Green Air Pro offers twice the amount of purification power in less space than its competitors. The machine is built with a UV lamp system, HEPA filter, and ozone generator for the best filtration effect.
The filter can cover up to 3,500 square feet in space, making it perfect for residential areas, small offices, gyms, studios, and more. The Green Air machine features a spacious backlit LCD display to show you metrics concerning your air’s quality.
The unit pulls in unclean air from the rear, which is drawn through the photocatalytic filtration system, pre-filter, and HEPA filter before it finally gets ozone treated. It can capture airborne contaminants as minuscule as 0.3 microns, making it perfect for mold spores, bacteria, dander, and living organisms.
When the home is unoccupied, users can switch the ultra-purification setting to treat closed spaces with ozone. The timer can be set for intervals between 30 to 45 minutes, allowing ozone to reconvert back to fresh, clean oxygen.
Features to Factor In When Buying an Ozone Generator
Buying an ozone generator is not a simple decision. Yet, with a little bit of research, it’s possible to find the perfect device for you. The type of ozone generator device you’ll need will depend on your living space, the odors you’re targeting, and your own needs.
- What Type of Machine Do You Want?
Would you prefer a dedicated ozone generation device, or would you rather invest in an air filter with built-in ozone tech?
A HEPA air filter with a built-in ozone generator can function in the background while you’re in the home. Since the ozone layer is inside the machine, no ambient ozone is output into the environment.
By contrast, a stand-alone ozone generator outputs higher concentrations of ozone into the surrounding area. They are not safe to use when you occupy the home and should be used for up to 120 minutes (depending on the device).
So, why would anyone opt for a dedicated ozone generator? Put simply: They work faster and more efficiently than an air purifier with a built-in ozone generation unit. In a matter of minutes, the most stubborn ambient odors are nullified from the home.
If you’re not in a time crunch, we suggest a standard multi-layer air purifier with an ozone unit. These air purifiers not only deodorize the air, but they also offer much better targeting of viruses, bacteria, allergens, and other pollutants than ozone alone.
- What Type of Space Are You Deodorizing?
Before you opt for any specific brand, make sure to consider what indoor space you’d like to deodorize. It does not good to purchase an overpowered device that produces too much ozone for a small space.
For apartments and small homes, you’d be better served by a compact ozone generator. Not only are they cheaper, but they are also safer for regular use in smaller spaces.
Small space ozone generators generally produce a maximum output of 5,000 mg per hour, which makes them suitable for homes, cars, garages, and other middle spaces up to 1000 square feet in size.
For large spaces, a powerful unit with a maximum output of 10,000 mg per hour is best. These high-output generators are best for basements, garages, smoking areas, homes, offices, restaurants, farms, and more. Large space ozone generators accommodate spaces ranging from 2000 to 3500 square feet.
Feeling a little nervous about ozone generation? Start small and opt for a mini-generator that produces a maximum output of 50 mg per hour. These portable devices may be taken anywhere and can cover up to 330 square feet.
Safety Considerations of Ozone Generators
We won’t sugarcoat this: When used improperly, ozone generators can be unsafe and even lethal. The EPA has reported a variety of health effects associated with breathing in ozone, including decreased lung function, throat irritation, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and sensitivity to respiratory infection.
When used in the wrong indoor setting, ozone can mix with certain molecules that produce dangerous organic chemicals in the air. It’s difficult to predict the concentration of ozone in the air, especially if a powerful generator is used in a small space.
Moreover, ozone may kill bacteria but it will not remove particulate matter from the air – that’s why it’s best to use in combination with an air filter.
Take caution when purchasing an ozone generator. Always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When applying ozone treatment, you and your pets should leave the house for the duration of the treatment (and for at least thirty minutes after).
With proper precaution, ozone generators are safe for use.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, then we hope you feel much more informed on the best ozone generators out there. Ozone generators are powerful devices that help to deodorize and purify indoor uses.
Before opting for a product, make sure to look at customer reviews and conduct proper research. Always take care when operating an ozone generator as they’re not to be used lightly.